What To Do Outdoors in Sedona, Arizona

Mention you’re planning a trip to Sedona, and you may get some quizzical looks. Really? People wonder. So you’re into that whole vortex-New Age-crystals philosophy? Well, no, but that’s a big part of the subculture in this part of Arizona.  Sedona means many things to many people, and while I tried to feel some sort of otherworldly sensation at the Vortex, all I got was a view. But…what a view it is. Sedona is one of my favorite places to vacation in the United States, and the prevalent New Age culture has very little to do with it. There are many things to see and do in Sedona, almost all of which involve getting outdoors and appreciating one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Pink Jeep for Off Road Travel Adventure

What to Do Outdoors in Sedona Arizona

Jeep Tours: My family visited Sedona last summer, and since we had our kids with us, this vacation involved more placid activities; the Red Rock Jeep tour took us off the road, but it wasn’t quite an off-roading experience. This past trip was just my partner and I; the Pink Jeep tour was everything an off-roading adventure should be (heart-pounding bumps, access to off-the-beaten-path cliffs and mesas) with a guide who nonetheless knew the local flora and fauna like the back of his hand. This Broken Trail jeep tour was a real highlight of our trip. I recommend both: Red Rock Jeeps for families with young children, Pink Jeeps for teens and adults. There is also A Day in the West jeep tour, but I haven’t personally experienced that one…yet. Earth Wisdom jeep tours offers a New Age experience, going to the famous vortex as well as some sacred sites.

Hikes: Oh boy, the hikes. Hiking in the morning to see the sun rise over the red rocks of Sedona must be an exhilarating feeling, but I slept right through that. The sunset hikes are just as magnificent - I hope, since that’s what I (with my sleeping-in-is-a-vacation-priority self) did. Now, there are over 100 hiking trails in Sedona, so my list of recommendations is by no means complete.

  • Quick, easy, low grade hikes in Sedona include the Vultee Arch wilderness area (elevation gain 400 Cathedral Rock in Sedona AZft), Deadman’s Pass (don’t let the name scare you off) is appropriate for horseback rides with its wide trail (elevation gain 300 ft), Fay Canyon running along Bear Mountain, with views of a rock arch and Indian ruins (elevaton gain 95 ft), the easy Brins Mesa Loop (there’s a hard one, too) which takes hikers through arches and affords a view of Uptown Sedona, and Dry Creek Trail, the longest of the easy hikes at just over 5 miles both ways (elevation gain 450 ft).
  • For those of us who hike regularly and don’t mind some challenges, moderate trails in Sedona include the Secret Canyon, which follows a stream bed along the base of those amazing red mesas and buttes (elevaton gain 660 ft), Lost Canyon at the “Brins Mesa #119″ trailhead marker which takes hikers through small canyons and Indian ruins; follow the marked trail carefully as there are some steep drop-offs here. Other moderate hiking trails in Sedona are Long Canyon, which brings hikers up close to some of the most intricate natural rock formations around (elevation gain 580 ft), Boynton Canyon, off the property of Enchantment luxury resort, through a box canyon with multiple paths and trails to explore and a supposed vortex (elevation gain 400 ft), and Doe Mountain, which at less than 2 miles is a fairly easy part of Boynton Canyon that leads to the top of a mesa with 360-degree views (elevation gain 400 ft).
  • For experienced hikers looking for even more of a challenging hike, the Cathedral Rock Trail off rte 179 has the best views of any on the list; a 360-degree perspective of all of Red Rock County, through to Verde Valley and all the way to Jerome (30 miles away). The strenuous Brin’s Mesa Trail begins in a manzanita forest but gets challenging along the way - this trail begins at the end of Jordan Road.

View of Sedona

View of Sedona

Aerial Views: There are helicopter rides and a hot air balloon tour through the red cliffs of Sedona. I haven’t done either, but I’ll be honest with you: If a helicopter had come chopping through the air during one of my hikes, it would have seriously interrupted my groove. While I can’t speak from experience, I imagine that Red Rock Balloon Adventures offers a much more peaceful aerial tour of the county. That company also doesn’t disturb the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings.

Shopping: There are a lot of shops in Uptown Sedona, along Highway 87A. These range from the tackiest of tourist traps to some pretty awesome art galleries featuring local artists. But a shopping vacation in Sedona really isn’t complete without a stop in Tlaquepaque. The stores here are ultra-high end, yes, and the few restaurants are pricier than a fast food joint. But the enclosed area of Tlaquepaque is modeled after an authentic Mexican village, with lovely architecture and cobblestone streets (cars pack outside). Be sure to check out El Prado Gallery here; it’s probably my favorite art shop in Tlaquepaque. I also like Geoffrey Roth’s gallery and, on the less expensive end, Esteban’s.

Just Outside Sedona: I recommend taking a morning trip to a couple of historic sites of the Sinagua Indians. Tuzigoot National Monument is an ancient pueblo that travelers can really explore, although of course with respect. Montezuma Castle National Monument is an elevated cliff dwelling (and park), hence cannot be experienced in quite the same hands-on way, but my family loved it. There is also the nearby Montezuma Well, which is a visible underground well the Sinagua built for farming purposes.

These are just a few of my favorite things to do outdoors in Sedona, Arizona. There are bound to be countless others; feel free to mention your favorites in the comments below!

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May 29, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Family Travel, Luxury Travel | 21 Comments 

Earth Day Top 5 Easy Green Travel Tips

Easy Green Travel for Earth Day (wikicommons)
Easy Green Travel for Earth Day (wikicommons)

On Earth Day, it’s important to consider the potential benefits of traveling on the earth, as well as how to mitigate negative consequences. No doubt about it; travel leaves a carbon footprint. The CO2 emitted by airplanes is a greenhouse gas, as we (mostly) all know. Further, biodiversity (important for the health of any habitat) is affected by the construction of hotels and resorts. What can an eco-conscious travel lover do? Plenty. And on Earth Day, it’s important to consider the potential benefits of traveling on the earth, as well as how to mitigate negative consequences. Here are the Traveling Mamas’ Top 5 Easy Green Travel Tips!

Don’t worry; our level of commitment can vary. Not just between person, but between trips as well. Awareness of the environment doesn’t have to equal staying in yurts and other no-indoor-plumbing types of lodging. Eco-travel is not a forced choice. There are many small ways in which any type of travel, from budget to luxury, can be made more environmentally responsible.

1) Getting There by Plane: In terms of getting to our vacation destinations, we don’t have to sacrifice air travel for leaving a lighter carbon footprint. There are click-through carbon offset purchase options available online. I like NativeEnergy for this, because its benefits aren’t just environmental, but economic as well. NativeEnergy builds positive businesses for family farmers and Native Americans by taking those carbon offsets and putting them towards farmer-owned renewable projects.

2) Getting There by Car (or otherwise): It’s good green thinking to research whether we can forgo car rentals. Some hotels offer free shuttles to and from the airport and local activities. Since these shuttles are running regardless, using them cuts down on CO2 emissions. Bikes and public transportation are also great alternatives.  When it’s necessary to rent a car, we can ask if there are hybrids available. Some hotels offer rebates on parking for guests who pull up in hybrids.  The Better World Club is an eco-friendly alternative to AAA.

Grand Canyon3) Once You’re There: Sure, there’s camping, and there are yurts and ecolodges. Environmentally Friendly Hotels has a list. No matter the destination, though, there are easy choices we can make to travel “greener” without giving up accommodations we want on our vacations. For example, we can still turn off the lights in our hotel room before we leave for the day (it’s surprising how many people don’t bother). Ask if a hotel has a linen reuse program. These hotels usually have signs in the bathrooms that say something like, “If you want us to wash the towels, leave them on the floor.”  Also, we can check if there is a hotel at our destination of choice that participates in a water recycling or conservation program.

4) Time to Eat: Some hotels - notably the Fairmont family of hotels -  have restaurants that use locally grown, organic ingredients for their menu offerings. This not only cuts down on transportation costs, but assures a fresher quality of food too.  Eating locally but outside of the hotel is still more ecologically sensitive than, say, a Happy Meal at McDonald’s. The 100 Mile Diet promotes locally grown produce. Inquiring about which of your destination’s restaurants participate in this earth-friendly concept is an easy way to affect positive change while traveling.

5) What to Buy: No matter where you take your vacation, remember to take only photos, leave only memories (as they say). The broken-up a’a lava rock looks plentiful and free to take as a souvenir in Hawaii, but it’s illegal to do so for a reason: Can you imagine if everyone took some? While buying unique crafts from local artisans is more expensive than buying that cheapo t-shirt at the airport, doing so invests back in the community. It supports traditional craft-making as a sustainable job in the travel destination’s economy. Sustainable tourism money translates into vacation destinations promoting the protection of their habitats’ biodiversity.

Making informed choices as a travel consumer is easy. Green travel is also easy, once we realize we don’t have to forgo our favorite vacation amenities to do so. Every little bit helps, after all. And who knows? Maybe next Earth Day, we’ll be game for that backpacking-camping-no indoor plumbing-ecotrip. Until then, incorporating easy green concepts into our vacations is painless, and great for the planet.

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April 22, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Budget Travel, Eco Travel | 22 Comments 

Unexpected Hawaii Whale Watching Experience

One of the better snorkel trips I’ve had was on a morning trip to Molokini, a small uninhabited (by humans, at least) atoll off the coast of Maui. The snorkeling itself was nice, of course, but what really made the trip was the boat ride back to Maui. We were enjoying our post-snorkeling juice and pastries, when suddenly two humpback whales breached around 15 feet off starboard side of the chartered catamaran. They did this a few times, and each time, the passengers in the boat gasped. Some pointed, some rummaged for their cameras, and the woman next to be broke out in tears. I found myself laughing without being aware of when I started even to smile. It was a pure Hawaii experience: Spontaneous, in-the-moment, and completely joyous.

Something similar just happened this month, with the passengers on the Atlantis Submarines Maui. This underwater sightseeing trip usually takes its passengers off the coast from Lahaina. While Molikini is off the east part of Maui (which is roughly shaped like the two side-by side volcanoes that formed it), Lahaina is off the west coast, near Ka’anapali. On this particular cruise, a pod of around 5-10 humpback whales appeared maybe 25 feet from the Atlantis submersible, swimming around and apparently vying for the attention of one very desirable female whale. Isn’t she lovely? A quick-minded passenger took a video, check it out:

The activity lasted for 45 minutes or so, and then the humpback whales moved away. Only then did the Atlantis submarine return to the surface. It’s great that the Atlantis extended the tour to accommodate this special, amazing experience for the passengers. It gave them an experience they’ll never forget, I’m sure, and that’s what a Hawaiian vacation is all about.

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April 21, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Luxury Travel, Videos | 4 Comments 

Exploring Louisiana: Monroe and Ruston

A few weeks ago I had the chance to explore the northern part of Louisiana. I’ve lived in this state my entire life, but as any average American, when it comes to vacation time, we always venture far from home. I’m the first one that will tell you to “Boycott the Staycation” as we see how detrimental the lack of travel is on our economy, but I’ll also be the first one to tell you to get out there and see what is in your own backyard.

I really think the idea of a “staycation” is just plain ignorant. Last summer, the media was telling people how to save money, by providing alternatives such as buying an outdoor movie theater or visiting places close to home. Well, the cost of that outdoor movie theater is equivalent to a week’s condo rental, should you shop around. And as far as visiting places closer to home, you should be doing that with your kids on the weekends anyway.

I’d like to call my foray into north Louisiana as a sort of reconnaissance trip to determine what I’ll do with my kids this summer on short jaunts. This will by no means take the place of our annual family vacation, but now that they are preteens, my bonding time with them is growing short.

Here are a few of the choices I’m giving the kids for their summer learning through travel. This year’s theme is about learning where you live.

Monroe/West Monroe Area:

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge – This 1600-acre lake is dotted with cypress, offers a visitor/education center (complete with baby alligators and various snakes), a wildlife observation deck, nature trail, and pier.

Poverty Point State Historic Site – This 400 acre site has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The earthworks are dated between 1650 and 700 B.C. An onsite interpretive center showcases an impressive collection of items found here. It is one of the largest mounds in North America.

Poverty Point State Park – This park and campground  offers cabins for overnight lodging. The cabins overlook Poverty Point Reservoir. Don’t let the name fool you, these cabins are a steal at around $99 per night for a two bedroom cabin complete with full kitchen, flatscreen tv with satellite, screened porch, and even free wifi. The cabin I stayed in had a queen bed in one bedroom and two sets of bunks in the other. The wildlife and nature trails make for a true Louisiana getaway. Plus, the nearby Black Bear Golf Course is part of the Audubon Golf Trail.

Ruston/Lincoln Parish Area:

Follette Pottery – Hidden just off of Hwy 86 in Ruston on Pea Ridge Rd is one the South’s hidden treasures. Kent and Libby are the nicest people and on the second Saturday of each month, they cook lunch for visitors and have a sale. Don’t worry if you stop in on another day, you’ll still get a taste of Libby’s sweet peach tea. Their products are sold in 44 states.

Lincoln Parish Museum – Have you ever walked into an old house and wished that the walls could talk? Well, they do here! The murals on the main hall walls tell a story, and there’s audio to go along, recorder by former living citizens of the area who recount their childhood stories and history of Lincoln Parish. Upstairs is like walking into your grandma’s attic (without the dust). The music collection made me chuckle, it even included an Ace of Base CD. Someone is very funny at that museum.

Arcadia Old Railroad Museum – This train station/museum/office/tourism center houses a collection of paraphernalia from the Bonnie and Clyde saga. In fact, the funeral procession of the legendary duo ended right across the street from the train station.

Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum – This was truly an interesting stop in the little town of Gibsland. There’s nothing like seeing autopsy pictures blown up and hung on a wall. I have to admit, it was pretty morbid, but I know my preteens will love it, even while they scream, “Gross. Come look at this!”

There’s so much more to see in North Louisiana and this is just the beginning. Be sure to check out my state’s Official Tourism Website for more information. Don’t worry, there’s more to come.

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April 7, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Budget Travel, Culinary Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Family Travel | 6 Comments 

A Beach Vacation in La Jolla, California

Solo Surfer (Jen Miner)
Solo Surfer (Jen Miner)

La Jolla is a gorgeous, high-end beach community just a hop, skip and a jump north of San Diego.  It’s got a reputation as being a relaxing (if somewhat deluxe) vacation destination.  The Mudslide family has never been there; we take road trips to San Diego pretty often, but La Jolla is so close to San Diego that Laguna Beach makes for a better pit stop on the way home. As a California-based travel writer and beach town fan, I clearly needed to check out this place with my video camera fully loaded.

I’m so glad I did! La Jolla is indeed lovely, with cliffs that overhand the Pacific in ways reminiscent of the more rugged views in Northern California. The La Jolla Playhouse is a wonderful local theater, and Scripps Institute of Oceanography is a focal point for training the next generation in marine biology and other earth sciences. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps melds fun and education about marine life and resources so well, I just can’t wait to take my children there. But remember…there are those miles of wonderful, surfer-friendly beaches too.

One beach has been in the news off and on; The Children’s Pool was actually man-made to create a relatively wave-free bay for kids to play in, but this serene alcove was also perfect for seals to birth their pups. (This is somewhat controversial; the philanthropist Ellen B. Scripps had it built for children, but not exclusively so.) Because there are so many other child-friendly beaches along La Jolla’s coastline - and because marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act - the seals unknowingly won a legal battle to stay in The Children’s Pool during baby season. I love seals! I had to find them…and hopefully get a quick video of the seals in action.

Starting at the south end of La Jolla was a mistake; I found a bunch of beautiful little beaches (and a ton of fancy shops) but no seals. I had my Flip Digital Video Camera on the ready, though: Check out this video. Oh, before you do, keep in mind that I’m no professional. Holding the Flip at arm’s length and hoping for the best resulted in me chopping off my chin. Wish me better aim next time!

Ha, ha! It’s no wonder that The Children’s Pool has also been named “Seal Rock.” They look cute and happy, don’t they? But even from our respectful distance, the other tourists, gawkers, and I were just about equally impressed by the smell emanating from the beach as we were the sight of all those baby seals flopped out next to their mamas. Phoo! I wonder how long it takes to clear the air after the Harbor Seals leave.

La Jolla Beach (Jen Miner)
La Jolla Beach (Jen Miner)

In any case, the Harbor Seals (and yes, I know, I accidentally call them sea lions once in the video above, mea culpa) are a huge attraction when they’re tending to their pups. Since there are a plethora of other beaches around La Jolla, I believe that setting aside Seal Rock/Children’s Pool for the seals and their babies is a good thing. The crowd of tourists, happy to pose for photos with a seal-filled background, surely agree.

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March 18, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, Romantic Getaways, Travel Gear, Videos | 15 Comments 

Photos from Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! This is one of those few days in the year where every American seems to discover their Irish roots, even if they don’t literally have any. Myself included. It’s morning as I type; in just a few hours, we’ll be hearing about the parades and (drunken) revelry across the nation.

Blarney Castle, Ireland
Blarney Castle, Ireland

But let’s step back for a moment, and remember that St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about green beer in the Chicago River, and calls of “Erin go Bragh” across the land. We’re celebrating, of course, the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, who rid the island of snakes. Well, when I went to Ireland, I didn’t see a single snake - although the serpents may have been taking refuge from all the rain. St. Patrick didn’t do anything about the weather!

It’s hard to say for sure whether St. Patrick really rid all of Ireland of every single snake, but the famous Irish ability to spin a great yarn about…well, anything, is also said to be traced to the Blarney Castle. Here’s a photo of the Blarney Castle (see the line of tourists at the top? We’re all waiting to do the same thing). Below it, you’ll see a photo of me, right after kissing the Blarney Stone. Ew, mossy and wet (the stone, that is)! It was well worth the 15-minute wait on line; I spent more time on line at Disney, for a ride that lasted around the same amount of time. And I wasn’t blessed with the gift of gab at Disney!

Saint Patrick’s Day parades have been annual events in the U.S. since around 1772. That’s a long time, relative to our nation’s independence and subsequent history. I know a lot of us will be out today, enjoying the parades. Celebrate safely, and perhaps you’ll have a story to tell the next day as well!

Kissing the Blarney Stone, Ireland
Kissing the Blarney Stone, Ireland
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March 17, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Family Travel, Luxury Travel, Travel News | 4 Comments 

Catalina Island - A Mellow, Relaxing Weekend Getaway

Santa Catalina Island is the largest of the channel islands off the coast of Southern California. On a clear day,I can almost sorta-kinda see it from my house, or at least I would if the roof counts and binoculars are allowed. The ferry from LA to Catalina Island is less than an hour’s drive south, too.  I was hard pressed to come up with the reason why, in the six years I’ve been a Californian, I hadn’t ever visited Catalina Island. Part of this was its reputation, I’m sure; touristy, touristy, touristy, was the word, with nothing but schlock shops and bars. But Los Angeles suffers its own negative stereotypes (surely you’ve heard). The terrific natural hiking trails and great family-friendly activities here contradict those bad LA stereotypes, so why not give Catalina Island a chance, too?

I took the Catalina Express ferry to Avalon, which is Santa Catalina Island’s only city. The ride was pleasant, took around an hour, with a cheerful staff to handle my suitcase. Avalon itself is more like a small town, with just over 3,000 residents. Catalina Island is mostly natural: The Catalina Island Conservancy owns most of it, this having been bequeathed to the nonprofit by the Wrigley family. Yes, the gum guy, who gave Chicago Wrigley Field, was also heavily involved in protecting and conserving the nature of Catalina Island.

Strolling along Avalon’s main road is peaceful, at least in the off season. Surely there’s a big crowd in the summer, but even in February the weather is balmy and pleasant. The water laps against the docks, with rowboats bobbing in the sun, and people smile as they walk by. It’s very mellow, friendly, and relaxed.  The walk from one end of town along the bay (the ferry’s dock) to the other (a water sports equipment rental area on the beach) takes 15 minutes. It’s a great walk: There are very few cars, and most people get around on foot or on golf carts. This waterfront town has several rows of shops and restaurants, ranging from beachy to to elegant.

Without a doubt, my favorite store in Avalon was C.C. Gallagher. It’s an eclectic mix of interesting knickknacks, creative artisan objects and high-end food items, along with both a coffee shop during the day, and a wine bar at night. If there is any “must-see” store in Avalon, C. C. Gallagher would have to be it.

What else? Well, Brown’s Bikes and Catalina Kayak Adventures rent, obviously, bikes and boats. There are plenty of opportunities to be active on the island, or simply to kick back with a glass of wine and enjoy the views. In fact, the kick back and relax aspect of Catalina Island is what I liked the most. Santa Catalina Island makes for a relaxing weekend away, and anyone in Southern California should try it at least once. I’m glad I did.

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March 13, 2009 | Filed Under Budget Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Romantic Getaways | 2 Comments 

Soft Adventure Girlfriend Getaway at Eagle Island, GA

Eagle Island, Georgia is a small private island, great for romantic travel, “away from it all” soft adventure, and even girlfriend getaways. In fact, one of my best girlfriends, Cajun Mama, is there right now. She’s having a wonderfully relaxing week!

South of Savannah, Eagle Island offers fishing, kayaking, and above all peace and quiet. We all can use some peace and quiet sometimes: A break from the rush and stress of everyday life is better than any prescription pill (makes for better memories too). Cajun Mama is enjoying Eagle Island immensely - in fact, the only thing that would make her experience there better would be if her girlfriends could have taken this getaway with her. She sent the Traveling Mamas this photo:

It’s so nice to know that, even while enjoying the peacefullness of a private island in Georgia, Cajun Mama still was thinking about her girlfriends. The importance of female friendship truly cannot be overstated, and we can’t wait to take a girlfriend getaway together soon. More than just fun and lighthearted, these vacations are resorative to our spirits. Enjoy the rest of your stay on Eagle Island, Cajun!

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March 12, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Romantic Getaways | 4 Comments 

Mama on the Move: Eagle Island, GA

I’m currently hiding out at Eagle Island, GA, a private island located in the inner coastal area of Georgia. This is a unique destination where all your worries and cares can be left behind. As I’m typing this, there is a bald eagle staring at me from her little hideaway in a tree above me. Whatever your reason for a visit, be it a romantic getaway, a family reunion, or just a place for all your friends to gather, you’ll find this a place to reconnect with nature and your companions.

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive beach resort with 24 hour room service, you should look elsewhere, but if you want to bring your heart rate real low, visit Private Islands of Georgia.

Here’s a video I put together of how to get to Eagle Island and the natural setting of this wonderful retreat.

If you can’t see the video, the direct link is on the Traveling Mamas YouTube Page. I can’t wait to come back to Eagle Island and share it with my family on our travels, or even with the other mamas on a girlfriend getaway.

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March 10, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Culinary Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, Romantic Getaways, Videos | 4 Comments 

Family Road Trip Tips

Family road trip season is coming up, starting with spring break then Easter and soon summer. Last year I wrote a post about my husband’s road trip with our preschoolers and while many of those tips still apply, I’ve run across a few items along the way to help families cope on road trips:

Star Kids Snack and Play Travel Tray. Don’t you hate it when: you’re in the car driving along and the kids start screaming bloody murder because  their Cheerios or crayons fell to the floor. I love Star Kids Snack and Play Travel Tray because it avoids the above situation all together (unless my kids decide to drop or throw the items on purpose). The tray has a rim that keeps crayons and snacks from rolling off. The other nice features about the tray is it fastens to the stroller and has net pockets.

KiddyKap. This is a brilliant invention. KiddyKaps fit onto juice and water bottles, avoiding the hassle of sippy cups.  My favorite feature is the re-snapping lids so the beverage can be saved for later. (The caps fit on 90% of bottles - so be sure to know what style bottles to purchase.) You won’t find these in stores just yet, so order directly through the owner on the KiddyKap site.

Babies Go CDs. Over the last several years I have found bald spots on my head due to the repetition of  “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Old Mac Donald.” Fortunately, my kids are old enough now to dig Jimmy Buffet, but if you’re still in that “Itsy Bitsy Spider” stage, guess what! There is relief ahead, especially if you have hours of driving ahead of you. Babies Go CDs offers tunes of songs or “melodic reinterpretations” we grownups love (Pink Floyd, Guns and Roses, Cold Play, Queen, Bob Marley, Rolling Stones, etc.) but the children think the songs are for them. Tricky! You can cruise by the Babies Go site and listen to the songs yourself. 

Preserve Tableware. Roadside picnics are quite common on family road trips. You’ve been or seen the kids running around a rest stop while the parents relax on a nearby picnic table. If this is your scene, skip the disposable paper plates and opt for an eco-friendly option such as Preserve Tableware.  All Preserve plates, tumblers, and cutlery are super sturdy, dishwasher safe, reusable, made from 100% recycled plastic and recyclable in communities that recycle #5 plastic. Preserve even makes toothbrushes recycled from yogurt cups!

As you can see from the explanations above I adore each of these items for their helpfulness for a family road trip. Hopefully you will find these tips/products helpful, too.

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March 9, 2009 | Filed Under Eco Travel, Family Travel, The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear | 4 Comments 

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